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Extra rooms 'add extra value' when selling homes

Selling your own house can be a difficult task without the right advice, both from a legal point of view and in terms of getting the best price.

It was therefore good news for homeowners looking to sell their own properties when the housing minister introduced new regulations that allowed them to forego planning permission when building value-enhancing extensions.

Andrew Leech, director of the National Home Improvement Council, says that a loft conversion is one way in which sellers can go about bumping up the price of their home.

"Any extra rooms you can add, add value to your house and there is no doubt about that," he advises.

"Rooms in the roof are one of the easiest ways to go, providing you get the thing right."

One of the groundbreaking aspects of the new laws was the fact that people could now build both up and out without having to pay for planning permission - a change which could save households up to £1,000.

Property News from Lawpack: buying or selling your own house? Straight-forward advice on DIY house selling.